Electric railway



(No Model.) 2 sheetssheet 1.

J. A. ROCHE.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY. l No. 574,171. Patented Deo. 29, A1896.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets`Sheet 2.

J. A. ROCHE.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

No. 574,171.. lamented Dec. 29,1896.

UNITED STATES VPATENT OEETCE.

JOHN A. ROCHE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 574,171, dated December 29, 1896. Application filed April 13, 1895. Serial No. 545,573. (No model.)

fo all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, JOHN A. ROCHE, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Railways; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements iiiV sectional conductors for underground electric railways and to the construction of the slotted conduits within which suoli conductors are located.

The object of the invention is to produce an improved construction in devices of the character referred to; and it consists in the matters herein set forth, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of a section of road-bed constructed in accordance with my im prove ments. Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-section of the conduit. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof on a smaller scale. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and (5 are sectional details taken on lines 5' 5 and 6 6, respectively, of Fig. 2.

In said drawings, A designates the rails of an underground electricrailway road bed, and B the slotted conduit which extends longitudinally thereof and may be located either between or at one side of the rails, as desired. Said conduit is made, as usual, of cast-iron sections of suitable lengths, which are bolted or otherwise secured together at their ends to afford a continuous subway extending from one end of the line to theother. Each conduit-section consists of a channel-shaped base-casting B, and cover-plates B2 and B3, that are securedto the channel B' with their inner or adjacentedges at a sufficient distance apart to provide a conduit-slot b of suitable width between them. The conduit illustrated in this instance is particularly designed to rest directly upon the ties A' of the road-bed, and to this end is made of substantially the same depth from top to bottom as the rails A, so that the upper surfaces of the conduit and rails lie in substantially the saine horizontal plane.

C C designate a continuous series of oscillatory frames pivotally mounted in bearings B4 within the conduit at one side and near the top thereof and each supporting at its free inner edge a short section c of exposed cond iictor adapted for contact with the traveling current-gatherer or trolley D of the car. The ends of the adjoining sections c are arranged in such close proximity that in passing from one end of the line to the other the currentgatherer or trolley D when in operative position is always in contact with at least one section, while at the same time said sections are sufciently separated to always prevent any direct electrical coiiiiniiiiicaiion between ihein. Each of said frames C is furthermore provided with a rigidly-attached arm C,which extends outwardly through an aperture b' in the adjacent side wall of the conduit and is then curved downwardly around the conduit and upwardly again so as to terminate in a contact-head C2, located in proximity to an exposed contact-plate E. Said contact-plaies are in constant electrical communication with an insulated cable E', which constitutes the main wire of the conduit, and in this instance they form the exposed terminals of short insulated branch wires E2, leading from said cable, which is itself located within a longitudinal groove b2 formed in the inner surface of the conduit proper.

The contact-plates themselves are located outside of the conduit proper at the opposite side thereof from the frames C and within the upper portion of U-shaped hoods or chainbers B5, which are cast integral with the main channel B and extend around and beneath the same in position to inclose the rigid arms C' of said frames, and which are made sufficiently narrow to readily drop between the ties A' and thus do not interfere with the locating of the conduit above said ties. The

contact-plates are in this instance shown as supported in the desired position by bracketlugs o3, which project into the chamber B5 from the adjacent wall thereof. Suitable bolts b4 serve to clamp the plates to the Linder sides of the lugs, and both the plaies and bolts are insulated from the lugs by an intervening lOO layer h5 of vulcanite or other non-conducting material. To afford a convenient connection with the insulated branch wires E2, the plates E are each elongated to form a clam pin g-head e, which is perforated to receive the exposed extremity of the branch wire E2. A milled slot c extends from the perforation of the head to the outer margin thereof and divides the end of the head into two separate lugs e?, through which a clamping-bolt e* is passed. By tightening up said boltthe lugs e2 are drawn together, so as to firmly clam pthe wire E2 within the head. From its connection with the contact-plate E each wire depends beneath the conduit and passes up through a suitable aperture biu the wall of the conduit into the groove b2, where it connects with the linewire E. rl`he mouth of the groove h? is normally closed by narrow cover-strips 117, which are herein shown as countersunk flush with the inner surface of the conduit and may be readily sealed, if desired, to prevent any escape of water from the conduit into the groove IF and thence through the apertures b into the surrounding cham bers B5.

The general operation of the sectional cond uctor thus described will be readily understood. Normally the unbalanced weight of each frame C causes it to drop down, so as to separate the head C2 of the arm C from the superjaeent contact-plate E and main tain the conducting-strip c out of circuit. \Vhen the trolley D passes beneath said strip c, it lifts the same by swingingthe whole frame C about its bearings B until the eol'itact-plate head C2 of the rigid arm C strikes the contact-plate E and throws said strip c into circuit. As soon as the trolley passes the frame drops down again by its own weight and breaks the circuit again on that section of the cond nctor, but the trolley D in the meantime will have passed beneath the succeeding strip c and thrown that into circuit, the arrangement being such that each succeeding strip is lifted and thrown in circuit by the trolley before the previous strip is released thereby. The passage of the current to the trolley is therefore con tin uous,although each particular cond noter-section c is in circuit only during the time required for the trolley to pass its length. The contact-strip c and supply-arm C are of course insulated from contact with the conduit, so as to avoid any leakage of the current during the interval that the strip and arm are in circuit.

I prefer to employ in addition to the trolley D, through which the current passes, a similar trolley located a short distance in advance of the same and acting` to lift the strip c and thus bring the same in circuit with the supply-cond uetor before the current-earryin g trolley reaches the strip. By this construction sparking at the contacts is prevented, inasmuch as the circuit is closed before the current passes through the contact-pieces. A third trolley located behind the currentcarrying trolley holds the strip c elevated and the contacts closed until after the currentcarrying trolley has passed beyond the strip to the next one.

In the particular construction shown each of the frames C consists of a con tin nous piece of metal tubing. One end c' of the tube extends the full length of the frame through the bearings B4, which are herein shown as three in number, and forms the pintle upon which the frame swings. The tube is then bent forwardly at right angles to the pintle c' to form a supporti ug-arm c2 for one end of the strip c, which strip constitutes the next section of the tube and is bent to extend horizontally at right angles to the arm c2 and parallel to the pintle c'. A second radial su pporting-arm c3 for the other end of the contact-strip c is formed by bending the tube back again to meet the initial end of the spindle c', to which it is brazcd or otherwise rigidly secured, and from said j nncture with the spindle c' said arm c3 is continued to form the rigid arm C', which constitutes the other end section of the tube. The whole frame, including its rigid arm C, is thus conveniently formed of a single piece, except for a transverse stiftening-arm c4, which is herein shown as located between the contact-strip c and the spindle c', midway between the ends of the frame. The end of said bare, which adjoins the contact-strip c, and the corresponding ends of the end arms c2 and c3 are furthermore shown as bent sharply downward, so as to meet the contact-strip from the upper side thereof and leave its under surface entirely free from any interruption or unevenness which might interfere with the smooth passage of the trolley.

All parts of the metal frame thus described are obviously in circuit when the arm C' and contact-strip care in circuit. The insulation between the contact-strip and conduit is therefore provided between the frame and the conduit and in this instance in the bearings B". The latter are shown as being supported on integral brackets b3 of the ad Jacent conduitwall. Said bearing comprises upperand lower bearing-blocks b and b1, of vulcanite or other insulating material, between which the spindle c is journaled, a plumbago bushing b being provided around the spindle to avoid the necessity of using oil or grease for a lubricant. The bearing-blocks b9 and bw are held together by suitable screws or bolts lf2, and the lower block is shown as provided on its lower face with a dovetailed rib Z113, which engages a corresponding groove in the bracket hs andv is fastened therein by screws 014. To provide for the endwise adjustment of the frames C, the brackets D8 are made considerably longer than the bearings BA1 and are provided with several apertures D15 for said screws b1", so that each bearing may be moved endwise in its dovetailed groove b13 and secured in any desired position on the bracket. Endwise movement of the frame in its bearings is prevented by collars c5, which are secured' on the spindle c' in position to engage opposite faces of the bearings B4.

y The frames C and contact-strips c are made of such suitable lengths as may be found practicable, and the base-sections B of the conduit may be made of equal length with the frames C, or two or more of said frames may be provided to each section B', as found convenient. In the former case each of the sections B', cast vWith a single U-shaped hood or chamber B5 to receive the rigid arm C of the frame and said hood, will preferably be located close to one end of the section. In the latter case two or more of said hoods or chambers will be cast in each section to receive the several arms C, which arms may obviously be located at the middle of the frames C or otherwise instead of at the ends thereof, as shown in the present instance. Owing to the simplicity of the construction the parts are little liable to get out of order or require frequent attention. The contacts E may be readily exposed 'for examination at any time by removing small cover-plates B6, which for convenience are made separate from the main cover-plates of the conduit and are consequently so small as to be readily handled. The Whole conduit may also be eX- posed, when desired, by removing the coverplates B and B2, and as the opposite ends of the chambers B5 to those in which the contacts E are located are herein shown as closed .by extensions Z215 of the cover-plates B2, they will also be exposed by the removal of said plates.

The cover-plates B and B2 are shown as supported at their inner edges by the rigid attachment of their outer edges to the side walls of the conduit, such rigid attachment being formed by means of depending integral iianges B3 B4 on the cover-plates, which flanges engage the inner face of the side walls, and depending marginal flanges on the outer edges of the said plates, Which flanges extend outside of and engage the upper edges of the side walls. 'lhis particular construction in means for supporting the cover-plates is shown in a separate application filed by myself and another and forms no part of the present invention.

It will, of course, be understood that while the arms C' of the frames have been referred to as rigid7 arms throughout the foregoing description, they are not necessarily required to be absolutely stiff and unyielding, but are merely rigid in the sense that any movement of the frames themselves results ina distinct and definite corresponding movement of their arms, it being obvious that this characteristic may readily exist in an arm which is at the same time comparatively springy or resilient and which will also act to cushion the shock caused by the sudden impact of the ends of the arm with the contact-plate E when the frame is struck by the approaching trolley. When the trolley passes from under the frames, the descent of the latter may be convenien tly cushioned by rubber or similar buffers b1, aflixed to the Wall of the chamber B5, in position to receive the impact of the arms C of the frames. Similar elastic and insulating lugs 517 are also provided on the under sides of the cover-plates B3 to limit the upward movement of the frames under any abnormal lifting force.

The frames themselves mustobviously be of a construction sufficiently stiff or rigid to resist any material torsion, so that even if the trolley rst strikes the end of the frame opposite to that at which the arm C is located said arm will be instantly swung up against its contact-plate E and place the conductor-strip or section c in circuit. For this reason the skeleton tubular construction shown offers great advantage in enabling the frames to be of comparatively great length, (sixteen feet or so, for example,) while still light and rigid enough to operate in the manner desired.

The frames described will preferably be provided with a surface covering or coating of insulating material or paint, except in their parts with which the trolley comes in contact. The presence of such insulating-coatingI consider desirable in order to lessen liability of short-circuiting between the frames and adjacent parts of the conduit. I The location of the contact-pieces at the end of the conductor-sections opposite the pivotal axes of the same and the arrangement of the oscillating arms, so that they reach from the pivotal axes past the conductor-sections to the contact-pieces, has the important advantage of affording the necessary length in the arms without requiring the contact-pieces to be located at a distance from the conductor, but on the contrary enabling said contactpieces to be placed adjacent to the side wall of the conduit in the manner illustrated.

I claiml. The combination vvith'a supply-conductor, of a plurality ofl pivot-ally-supported insulated conductor sections, stationary and movable contactpieces, said contact-pieces being located at the side of the conductorsections opposite the pivotal axes of the same, and oscillating arms which are rigidly attached to and move with the conductor-sections and which carry the movable contact- IOO IIO

IZO

and a supply-conductor, of pivotally-supported, insulated conductor-sections, stationary and movable contact-pieces located at the side of the conduit-slot opposite the pivots of the conductor-sections, such stationary contactplates being connected with the supply-conductor, and oscillatin g arms carrying said movable contact-plate, said arms being rigidly attached to the conductor-sections and extending across the conduit below said conductor-sections, substantially as described.

et. The combination with a slotted conduit and supply-conductor located therein, of pivotally-supported, insulated conductorsections. and means for connecting the conductorsections with the supply-conductor comprising downwardly-facing contact-plates con'- nected by means of branch conductors with the su pply-conductor and oscillating arms rigidly attached to the conductor-sections and carrying verticallymovable upwardly-facing contact-plates which are rigidly attached to said arm and adapted to be lifted against the stationary contact-plates by upward pressure on the conductor-sections, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a slotted conduit and a supplyconductor of pivotally-supported, insulated col'lduetor-sections located in the conduit, stationary and movable contact-plates located outside of the conduit-wall at the side thereof opposite that at which the pivots of the conductor-sections are located and rigid arms for carrying the movable contact-pieces which arms are attached to the conductor-sections and pass around and beneath the conduit, and exterior housings surrounding the said contact-plates and arms, substantially as described.

G. The combination with a supply couductor of oscillating frames, which frames consist of conductor-sections, bars arranged parallel therewith and forming pivots for the frames and arms rigidly connecting the conductor-sections with said bars and means for connecting the supply-conductor with the said sections comprising stationary and movable contact-pieces and rigid arms for carrying said movable contact-pieces, said arms being rigidly attached to said frames, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a supply-conductor, of oscillating frames, which frames consist of conductor-sections, pivot-bars arranged parallel therewith and arms rigidly connecting the conductor-sections with said bars and means for connecting the supplyconductor with the said sections comprising stationary and movable contact-pieces and arms rigidly attached to the frame, for carrying said movable contact-pieces, and bearings of insulating material for said pivot-bars of the frames, substantially as described.

S. The combination with a slotted conduit of oscillatory frames pivotallymounted within the conduit at one side of the slot thereof, conductor-sections supported on said frames in position for engagement by an undcrrunning trolley, stationary and movable contact-pieces at the opposite side of the slot, a line-wire connected with said stationary pieces, and rigid arms on the f rames, extending beneath the slot and actuating the movable contactpieces to afford connection between the supply-conductor and conductor-sections when the frames are oscillatcd by the trolley, substantiall y as described.

9. The combination with a slotted conduit, of oscillatory frames pivotally mounted within the conduit at one side of the slot thereof, conductor-sections supported on said frames in position for engagement by an underrunning trolley, rigid arms on the frames extending outside of and beneath the conduit to the opposite side of the slot from the frames, contact-pieces located above the ends of said arms, and a line conductor connected with said contact-pieces, whereby the lifting of each frame by the passage ot the trolley beneath its conductor-strip will raise the rigid arm against the superjacent contact-piece, substantially as described.

l0. The combination with a slotted conduit, of oscillatory frames pivotally mounted within the conduit, conductor-sections supported upon said frames in position for engagement by an underrunnin g trolley, rigid arms on the frames extending around and beneath the conduit, exterior housings on the conduit inclosing said arms, stationary contact-pieces in said exterior chambers above the free ends of thea-rms, and aline conductorconnected with the said contact-pieces, substantially as described.

ll. The combination with a slotted conduit, of oscillatory frames pivotally mounted within the conduit, cond meter-sections supported upon said frames in position for engagement by an underrunning trolley, rigid arms on the frames extending out of the conduit through an aperture in the upper side wall thereof, and extending around and beneath the conduit, exterior chambers cast integral with the conduit, inclosing said arms, contact-pieces in said chambers above the free ends of the arms, an insulated line conductor within the conduit and connections between each contactpiece and the line conductor, substantially as described.

l2. The combination with a slotted conduit, of oscillatory metallic frames pivotall y mounted in insulating bearings at one side of the conduit-slot and each supporting an exposed conductor-section in position for engagement by an underrunning trolley, contact-pieces at the opposite side of the cond uit-slot, a supplyconductor connected with cach of said contact-pieces, and rigid arms on the frames extending around and beneath the conduit and adapted for contact with said plates when the conductor-section is engaged by the trolley, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a slotted conduit, of oscillatory metallic frames pivotally mount- IOO IZO

ed Within the conduit at one side of the slot thereof, said frames being formed of two parallel bars, one journaled in insulating-bearings on the conduit and the other forming a conductor-section adapted for engagement with a trolley, and transverse arms connecting said parallel bars, arms on the frames extending around and beneath the conduit, exterior housings on the conduit inclosing said arms, and contact-pieces mounted on insulating-supports in said exterior chambers above the free ends of said arms, substantially as described.

14. The combination with a slotted cond uit and a supply-conductor of oscillating frames which frames consist of conductor-sections, pivot-bars arranged parallel therewith and arms rigidly connecting the conductor-sections With the said pivot-bars, bearings for said frames consisting of brackets on the side Walls of the conduit, two-part bearings of insulating material secured to said brackets, rigid arms attached to the said frames and stationary and movable contact -pieces of .Which the movable contact-pieces are carried by said arms and a supply-conductor connected with the stationary contact -pieces, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a slotted conduit, of pivotally-mounted conductor-sections, adapted for the engagement therewith of an underrunning trolley, rigid arms attached to said sections and moving therewith a supply-conductor and contact devices for connecting the said conductor-section with the supply-conductor, comprising rigid arms attached to the conductor-sections and provided with contact-pieces at their free ends, insulated contact-plates attached to the under side of brackets secured to the conduit and branch conductors extending from said contact-plates to the supply-conductor, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses, this 27th day of March, A. D. 1895.

JOHN A. ROCHE.

Vifitnesses:

C. CLARENCE POOLE, HENRY W. CARTER. 

